Wellington Vice Mayor Matt Willhite now claims he is the winner in last week's election to decide the District 4 Council seat.

Advertisement

Willhite filed a lawsuit Tuesday afternoon at the Palm Beach County courthouse in West Palm Beach.

"We are asking a judge to file an injunction to stop the certification by the supervisor of elections to the Wellington canvassing board to not accept that and to now accept the new results of the election," Willhite told WPBF 25 News outside the courthouse.

Willhite's opponent, Al Paglia, was declared winner of the March 13 council race. The results were certified to the state Friday.

However, the county elections office said Monday night that, because of a computer glitch, the results were wrong and Paglia actually received fewer votes than Willhite.

Willhite's attorney, Bill Cornwell, said the lawsuit was expected.

"Unfortunately, the statute that provides for a contest of an election such as this one requires Matt to file suit at his own expense, and that's what he's here to do," Cornwell said.

In a statement, Paglia said he is the certified winner.

"I will congratulate the true winners or vice versa once the elections office and canvassing board works through all administrative procedures," Paglia said. "I think the state Department of Elections should send an independent team here to do the recount."